If any company can say it doesn't care what its competitors are doing, it's OnePlus, which for years has done things its own way, incorporating feedback from its loyal fan base in the process, as if it doesn't matter what the rest of the smartphone industry is doing. It has behaved. Or so it may appear from the outside.

Of course, this means that OnePlus phones do not always have the features that many would consider standard; it took until the launch of the OnePlus 7 for OnePlus to include stereo speakers, and it is not yet clear what the future holds for wireless charging or IP water resistance standards. future for wireless charging and IP waterproofing standards is not yet clear. These two were included in the OnePlus 8 Pro, but disappeared when the OnePlus 8T was launched.

The latest rumor from longtime OnePlus leaker Max Jambor is that the OnePlus 9 Pro will have the IP standard, but not the regular OnePlus 9. If so, we may be seeing a repeat of history where wireless charging is restricted to more expensive devices. The question is, why? Why can't OnePlus introduce a feature and keep it throughout its lineup?

Of course, OnePlus has been asked this question before and the answer has always been the same. Waterproofing has been included in OnePlus phones for years, but the official position is that obtaining an IP rating is costly, and that cost is passed on to the consumer. Furthermore, while the IP rating reduces concerns about water damage, it does not cover the warranty.

As for wireless charging, the excuse has been that it is not as good or efficient as wired charging, so it is too early for OnePlus phones. And to be fair, after its debut on the OnePlus 8 Pro, it was quite effective: it offered the same charging speed as Warp Charge 30 (50% in 30 minutes) and did not produce the extra heat that other fast wireless charging standards are known for. minutes to 70% charge) wasn't as fast as the OnePlus 8 Pro's, but it was significantly better.

The OnePlus 8T then skipped these two, and the 8T Pro's absence meant that IP rating and wireless charging have been missing since the 8 Pro launched in April.

Frankly, these features are nothing special. They are standard on every other flagship model and on many mid-range smartphones. They are not yet available on budget or lower mid-range models, but that is to be expected; the fact that it took OnePlus this long to introduce them is one thing, but the fact that the implementation has been inconsistent is quite another.

However, since we have only seen one Pro model since IP and wireless charging came to OnePlus devices, perhaps the term inconsistent is unfair; the OnePlus 9 may have both, the OnePlus 9T Pro or 10 Pro might be made.

But if so, OnePlus is holding them back for those who pay for them. As we mentioned, this is despite IP waterproofing and wireless charging being standard on countless other devices. On the other hand, OnePlus defends other high-end features. They are features like curved screens, high refresh rates, and under-display fingerprint scanners.

These features can be great additions to any phone, but not at the expense of the basics. Leaving out the simple ones seems to go against OnePlus' mantra of "Never Settle". After all, if certain basic features are intentionally withheld, it is not possible to provide the best experience for the customer.

But if OnePlus understands this, it may begin to focus on bigger and better things.